Emirati man hacks friend to death in Dubai with sword, jailed for life

Dubai - He alleged the victim used to mock him and verbally abuse his family.

A 23-year-old man, who hacked his 16-year-old friend to death with a sword, was sentenced to life in jail by the Dubai Court of First Instance on Wednesday.
The Emirati man, who was high on drugs at the time he killed his compatriot, was found guilty by the court of a premeditated murder charge. He received a 25-year imprisonment term. The man denied the charge during his trial.
Emirati lawyer Abdul Moneim Bin Suwaidan of Bin Suwaidan Firm for Advocates and Legal Counsels, who represented the accused, argued before the court that his "client had purchased the sword several months prior to the crime, which indicates that it was not pre-planned".
During the public prosecution investigation, the defendant claimed that he hit the victim only to scare him off and had no intention to kill him. He alleged the victim used to mock him and verbally abuse his family.
Around 11:30pm on January 22, he lured his friend to meet him at their neighbourhood in Al Qusais. He recounted that when he hit him with the sword, he aimed for his shoulder but the victim suddenly turned his head and he hit it unintentionally.
When he saw what he had done to his friend, he became extremely nervous.
Upon advocate Bin Suwaidan's request to the court, the defendant was referred to a committee of psychiatrists. They concluded that he was mentally sane and aware of his actions; and consequently he should be held responsible for his deeds.
The defendant fled the crime scene when he spotted a man coming towards them, leaving the victim critically injured.
He disposed of the crime tool in the same area.
Out of guilt, he turned himself in few hours later at the police station.
The victim was pronounced dead before he reached the hospital.
The defendant has the right to appeal the verdict within 15 days from the issuance date.

• Dubai